Guide To Buying and Bidding

How To Buy At Christie's

Guide to Buying & Bidding

It’s easy to buy at Christie’s


1. BROWSING

Browsing our catalogues is a great way to discover more about what’s coming up in future sales; alternatively check the website at www.christies.com where it’s possible to see all lots free of charge. Of course, once the sale is on view you may visit our salerooms to view property in person.

DESCRIPTIONS
cover basic catalogue information such as size, date or age, medium, attribution, quantity and so on

ESTIMATES
are given for all lots and can be based on prices recently paid at auction for comparable property. They can take into account rarity, condition, quality and provenance. The reserve is the price below which a lot will not sell. Since it is confidential it is not published in the catalogue. The reserve will never exceed the low estimate.

TALK TO OUR SPECIALISTS
who will always be happy to discuss the lot in greater detail. Their contact information is located in the front of the sale catalogue.

CONDITION REPORTS
are available upon request. These supplement the catalogue description and provide guidance on a lot’s condition.

VIEW THE LOT PERSONALLY
We would always recommend coming to the saleroom and looking at a lot for yourself, especially in the case of more valuable items.

SYMBOLS
next to the lot number can indicate a variety of things specific to the local saleroom. There is a key to symbols in the back of every catalogue.

2. BIDDING

There are four ways to buy offering you convenience and flexibility whether you are able to attend the auction in person or not. All of the following services are free:

IN THE SALEROOM
you will experience the buzz, drama and fun of bidding in a live auction. To bid in person just arrive in time to register. If you haven’t bid with us before you’ll need to bring some form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport.

CHRISTIE’S LIVE™
is our online bidding service which allows you to see and hear the auction in progress giving you a real time link into the saleroom direct from your PC. All you have to do is click to bid wherever you are. Visit christies.com/christieslive to learn more.

TELEPHONE BIDDING
enables you to talk directly to a Christie’s staff member in the auction itself who will relay progress back to you and, onyour instruction, bid on your behalf.

To organize a telephone bid ask the Bids Office on your visit to the saleroom or call the local Bids Office (see contact information below).

WRITTEN BIDS
are a great option if you cannot attend the auction or are not available to participate either online or via telephone. You can submit absentee bids online, by fax, or by completing the written bid form at the back of any auction catalogue.

To find out more about written bids and how to place them, please contact your local Bids Office.

3. PAYING & TAKING IT HOME

Once you have paid for your lot you can take it home or arrange for it to be delivered. Keep in mind that some items are moved to an offsite warehouse after the sale, and storage charges can apply.

HOW MUCH YOU WILL PAY
Buyers pay the purchase price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium on each lot – 25% of the first £25,000, 20% of any amount between £25,001 and £500,000, plus 12% of any amount in excess of £500,000) together with any applicable sales or use taxes such as VAT. Please contact your local Cashiers Department for more information about how to pay for your property.

STORAGE
Storage and handling charges will begin to accrue if property is uncollected; please refer to your registration materials or to the auction catalogue for more information about collection and storage. You may also contact your local Cashiers Department (see below) before collection to confirm the location of your property and any outstanding fees.

DELIVERY
We can help you with all your transport requirements whether local deliveries or international freight. Please call the Art Transport Department (see below) for assistance with shipping.

SALE ROOM CONTACT INFORMATION

Bids Department
South Kensington
t. +44 (0)20 7752 3225
f. +44 (0)20 7581 1403
New York
t. +1 212 636 2437
f. +1 212 636 4938
Paris
t. +33 (0)1 40 76 84 13
f. +33 (0)1 40 76 85 51

Cashiers Department
South Kensington
t. +44 (0)20 7752 3357
f. +44 (0)20 7823 8623
New York
t. +1 212 636 2495
f. +1 212 636 4939
Paris
t. +33 (0)1 40 76 84 35
f. +33 (0)1 40 76 86 00

Art Transport Department
South Kensington
t. +44 (0)20 7389 2712
f. +44 (0)20 7752 3152
New York
t. +1 212 636 2480
f. +1 212 636 4937
Paris
t. +33 (0)1 40 76 84 23
f. +33 (0)1 40 76 85 86